Prayagraj: At least 41 people were killed and 20 others injured after severe thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, swept through the Prayagraj region on Wednesday. The storm caused widespread destruction and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.The casualties included 26 deaths in Prayagraj, 11 in Fatehpur, and four in Pratapgarh. Relief and rescue operations are currently underway in the affected districts.In Prayagraj district, Handia tehsil was the worst affected, reporting seven deaths, followed by Soraon with six, Phulpur with four, Meja with three, and Sadar with one fatality. The victims included nine women, eight men, and four children.The severe storm also uprooted hundreds of trees, damaged 18 houses — 16 in Prayagraj and two in Pratapgarh — and caused wall collapses in the Sadar areas of both Prayagraj and Pratapgarh districts.According to a report prepared by the district administration, 20 people were injured in storm-related incidents, including 15 in Fatehpur and five in Prayagraj. The extreme weather event also claimed the lives of 22 animals — 20 in Prayagraj and two in Pratapgarh. Damage to homes and property was reported from several tehsils.Prayagraj district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma told TOI that the administration had conducted a survey to assess losses caused by the severe dust storm, strong winds, and lightning. He said compensation of Rs 4 lakh would be provided to the families of those who died in the disaster.Verma added that authorities launched a war-footing operation to clear blocked routes after hundreds of trees were uprooted during the storm.Meanwhile, the Prayagraj region reported deaths caused by collapsing walls, uprooted trees, and lightning strikes during intense dust storms accompanied by strong winds that swept through the area for nearly 50 minutes on Wednesday. Winds blowing at speeds of up to 80 kmph uprooted trees and electric poles, while also causing extensive damage to houses.